About The Working Sea.

The Working Sea brings the heart of our fishing industry to life. It is a collection of portraits, first-hand stories and research from fishers and others working across England’s fishing industry, from the north east to the south west. Through their experiences, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the people, places and communities behind the seafood we eat, and into an industry that continues to shape life around much of our coastline.

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Fishing is about more than what is landed at the harbour. It supports livelihoods, skills, local businesses and food supply, but it is also woven into the identity and character of many coastal places. For many of the people featured here, fishing is not simply a job, but something connected to family, community, independence and a particular way of life.

 

At the same time, the industry is changing. Across the UK, the number of active fishing vessels and people working at sea has declined, while fishers continue to navigate pressures around recruitment, regulation, business viability and environmental sustainability. Alongside the personal stories, research and data throughout the exhibition help place these experiences in a wider context and explore what these changes could mean for the future of fishing communities.

 

As you move through the exhibition, meet the people behind the industry and hear what fishing means to them, what they value, what they are worried about and what they hope for the future. We invite you to look beyond the boats and the catch, and think about the people and communities that make fishing possible, and what we want the future of fishing around our coastline to look like.